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WHO official praises Liberia's Ebola response

World Health Organization (WHO)
Regional Director Matshidiso Moeti recognized Liberian efforts to combat the Ebola virus during a special appearance on Thursday.

She also said Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf demonstrated leadership and that her actions and the work of the country's ministers and the overall community were essential to containing the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the last person who was confirmed to have Ebola virus disease died on March 27 and no others have been confirmed within the contact tracing process as of Thursday.

"WHO recognized the challenges of ineffective human resources and the human capacity available to implement such a plan," Moeti said. "If the international community remains committed to financially aiding Liberia, the country will have equitable ways to deliver health services."

The partnerships and commitment to reach the end of this outbreak between government officials and the population was something that should be modeled in future outbreaks of this or any other disease, Moeti said.

A press event was held and Liberian Minister Augustine Ngafuan thanked Moeti and the WHO, stressing their aid was also instrumental in fighting the disease. Liberian officials said on May 9, Liberia would be eligible for being cleared of the virus by the WHO in line with the 42-day requirement of having no new cases. Guinea and Siera Leone reported 33 new cases between the two countries.

The CDC states that this outbreak of the Ebola virus is the largest outbreak in history in terms of spread and the number of people that have been infected or died from the disease.